While the historical significance of the jazz musicians of the past can’t be ignored, the old made way for the new in this year’s biggest jazz event of the semester.

Eau Claire Jazz Inc., in association with the UW-Eau Claire Jazz Studies department, hosted the sold out inaugural Gatsby’s Gala from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday in the Ojibwe Ballroom of Davies Center.

This year’s new show, which is set to replace Big Band Extravaganza, is based off of the popular F. Scott Fitzgerald book-turned-movie, “The Great Gatsby.”

“(Big Band Extravaganza) was designed so students could get exposure to music of the big band swing era,” said Robert Baca, trumpet and jazz studies professor. “But we wanted to take a concept that’s very popular with the public, and that’s the Gatsby’s Gala.”

While Jazz I and II are featured, that era’s music wasn’t the only thing performed at the event. The two big bands also split into some small groups playing the likes of Earth Wind and Fire, Curtis Mayfield, Beyonce and even the popular theme from the 2013 movie adaptation, “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody.”

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